Lifting stanchion



Sept. `7, 1937. F. A. lsAAcsoN LIFTING STANCHION Filed March 20, 1957 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet l sept. 7, 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 20,l 1937 Patented Sept. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES LIFTING 7 Claims.

My inventionrrelates to devices or stanchions for lifting and supporting heavy objects, as for example automobile bodies; the improved stanchion being particularly adapted for use in connection with the loading of automobile bodies in closed railroad freight ycars in the manner described in my pending application Serial'Number 103,686, filed Oct. 2, 1936, although my improved stanchion is adapted to other uses.

The invention has for its object the provision of sturdy lifting means of simple and comparatively inexpensive construction and of such nature that its operation may be .easily-performed and the method of automobile storage orarrangement in a compartment or in a freightcar, for example, may be accomplished by a minimum number of workmen.

My improved stanchion is especially intended for use in connection with guideways or railsI arranged on the floor of a chamber or freight. car `for guiding vertically arranged-automobile body holding frames along a definite v.path and which alford stop or holding means whereby the upended automobile bodies or frames Vare held againt movement transversely ofthe chamber or freight car.

The improved method of shipping automobile bodies-namely without motors and running gear-as defined by my aforementioned application contemplates guideways or rails tobe arranged lengthwise on the railroad car iioor with 'interrupted or cut away sections opposite the side Vdoors of the car to permit the trucks on which the automobile body has been loaded to be trucked or wheeled transversely of the car floor. i Where my improved stanchions are used in connection with the method of automobile body loading rjust mentioned, a pair of stanchions are mounted in the car floor in spaced relation sufficient to permit a body holding truck to be positioned between the two stanchions until the latter are operated and the automobile body lifted off the truck; the automobile body being pivotally supported to .permit it to be up-ended `into vertical position.

The objects and advantages of my invention will all be more readily comprehended from the detaileddescription of the accompanying 'drawings, wherein:

PLAT-ENT OFFICE STANCHION Fred A. Isaacson, Topeka, Kans. Application March 20,

1937, Serial No. 132,057

(Cl. 10S-368) Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of another form of my improved stanchion. Y

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the base portion of the stanchion shown in Figure 1, as viewed from the bottom. y Y Figure 4 is a perspective View of the base member Vof the type of stanchion shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan View of the in* termediate portion of a railroad car illustrating the use of my improved stanchions in connection V vwith a method of loading automobile bodies on `end.

Y Inthe particular exemplication of the invention disclosed in Figurel, it comprises a stout upright or main body portion I0 of predetermined i vertical length and cross-sectional contour provided at the lower end with an enlarged base and `floor engaging portion I I, preferably substantially annular, with the main body portion l0 connected eccentrically with the base II. The portion I2 of the base which extends away from the body portion Ill is preferably of less thickness so that the upper face of this portion will be disposed in a lower horizontal plane as shown in Figures 1 and 3l for a. purpose hereinafter setV forth. Y

The base II is centrally provided with a depending post I3V of predetermined length and adapted to extend through an opening in the iioor I4 onwhich it is mounted. As my improved stanchion is more especially intended for use in l connection with the method of shipping automo- Lbile bodies as hereinbefore mentioned, the car floor I4 is provided with an opening just suicient for'the insertion of the post I3 and the bottom of, :the floor is provided with a tubular housing I5 adapted to more o-r less snugly receive the post.

In order to reduce frictional contact and also provide a lighter forging, the post I3 Vis preferably Y provided with the annular collars or flanges I6,

I6. The housing I5 may be rigidly supported in Yany suitable manner in order to withstand `any sidewise pressure of the post I3.

. The upper end of the main body portion I0 is shown bifurcated at I1, to receive a suitable lift lever AI8 therebetween. The lift lor jacking lever I8 is of suitable length with its upper or head end I9 off-set or disposed to one side and pivotally 'secured between Ythe bifurcations 4'I1 by means of pin 20.

The upper surface or edge of the head portion I9 `is preferably dished out or socketed as at 2| to receive a projection or trunnion providing portion on the object, automobile body or automobile body holding frame, whereby the object or body may be pivotally supported in place.

The head I9 of the lever is preferably provided with a latch plate 22 pivoted at 23 to one end of the head I9 so as to swing across the top of the head and over the projection or trunnion providing portion of the object to be lifted and thus prevent accidental slipping or movement of the projection out of the socket 2|. Any suitable method for locking the free end of the latch plate 22 in latching position may be used; as for example by providing small interengaging projections or lips on the head and on the lower side of the latch plate as at 24, adapted to frictionally engage each other.

The main body portion I9, on the side coincident with lever I8, is provided with a bracket 25, preferably of U-shape cross-section so that lever` I8 may pass therethrough; the closed end of the bracket disposed at the outer end of the bracket to provide a -stop at 26 whereby too far upward swing of the lever is prevented.

The side walls of the bracket 25 are shown provided with spaced holes 27; and lever I8 is provided with a hole 28 adapted to register with holes 2'I and to receive a suitable pin (not shown) whereby the lever I8 may be locked in the desired load holding position.

In Figure 2 I illustrate another form of my improved stanchion, namely a type especially intended for use in connection with the method of automobile body loading hereinbefore mentioned.

The stanchion of Figure 2 consists of an annular base portion 29 provided centrally with a depending post 3|] which may be of construction similar to the depending post I3 of the stanchion shown in Figure 1.

This depending post 3|) is also shown rotatably mounted in a housing I5 arranged beneath the car oor I4.

The base 29 on one side of the center is provided with an upstanding post 3 I, which is shown provided with annular shoulders 32, 32, adapted to engage the tubular upright 33 which telescopically fits the post 3| as shown. The tube 33 is of predetermined height and is adapted to fit onto post 3| so as to permit independent rotary movement of the tube 33; accidental removal of the tube 33 from the base being prevented by setscrews 34 which extend beneath the annular shoulder 32 at the upper end of the post 3|, while permitting rotative movement of tube 33.

This tubular upright 33 at its upper end is provided with a fulcrum providing rod 35 of predetermined length and held in proper position by collars 36, 36, which may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the rod; the collar 36 being flanged to also constitute a top piece for the tube. The upper exposed end of rod 35 is bifurcated at 3l to receive the upper end of lift lever I8 therebetween. The lift lever I8 is like lever I8 in Figure 1, with its head disposed to one side and pivotally secured between the bifurcations 31 by pin 20; the lever preferably extending through a bracket 25 as in Figure 1 in order that the end wall 26 of the bracket may limit the upswing of the lever.

In Figure 5 I have illustrated the adaptation of my improved stanchion to a method of loading automobile bodies in freight cars which latter have been provided along the longitudinal center line of the floor with suitable guide rails as at 38, 38 extending from points opposite the car side door openings, indicated at 39, to the ends of the car (not shown); while the space intermediate of these guide rails 38, 38 at the door openings is shown provided with a suitable stop rail or other means as at 4|] for engaging the lower end of the automobile body frame after it has been lifted from the truck by the lifting stanchions and swung into vertical position. The stop rail or means 4I) is suitably spaced from the ends of the guide rails 38, 38 to provide trucking space therebetween adapted to permit an automobile body and frame to be` trucked transversely into the car through the door openings. At this space the car floor is .shown provided with a pair of my improved stanchions indicated generally at A; these stanchions being spaced apart sufliciently to permit an automobile body to be disposed therebetween and to enable the head-ends of the lift levers I8 to engage a trunnion providing projection secured either to the body holding frames or to the automobile bodies themselves. 'I'he left hand stanchion in this gure is still in the position it would occupy for manipulating an automobile body which was intended to be placed on the side of the guide rails disposed toward the lower side of the figure; (the loaded automobile bodies being outlined in dotted lines at B) while the tubular upright 33 with its lift lever I8 of the stanchion at the right has been rotated on its base portion so as to arrange the lift lever I8 and its head in alignment with the guide rails which permitted the automobile body B at the lower right hand end of Figure 5 to be shifted toward the right beyond the stanchion.

The stanchions employed for the purpose illustrated in Figure 5 are preferably of the type illustrated in Figure 2 wherein the tubular upright 33 with its lift lever I8 may be rotated about the vertical axis of the upstanding post 3| of the base. portion without rotating the base portion. The base portion 29, like base portion II in Figure 1, is provided with a reduced part or side 29a and this reduced side of the base portion is shown toward the side of the guide rails where the automobile bodies are being shifted.

That is to say, the upper face` of the reduced portion 29a (like portion I2 in Figure l) is intended to extend in substantially the same hori- Zontal plane as the base portions of the guide rails so that the lower ends of the body holding frames may be shifted lengthwise of the car floor against the sides of the guide rails. Where the guide rails or means is of different type and substantially flush with the car floor it is apparent that the base 29 of the stanchion may be countersunk in the car floor sufficiently to bring the top surface of the reduced portion 29a flush, or substantially so, with the floor.

After an automobile body has been lifted by the pair of stanchions and the body tilted into vertical position, the stanchion levers I8 are, of

course, raised to lower the bottom end of the frames or bodies onto the floor or guide rails. 'I'he tubular uprights 33 and their levers I3 are then rotated about upstanding post 3| of the base so as to move the levers out of the path the body holding frame is to travel. Rotation of the upright 33 is permitted by the screws 34 which merely extend through tube 33 and engage beneath the collar 32.

In order to permit the tubular upright 33 to be rotated, the latch bolt 4I, slidably mounted in the guide or bracket 42, is lifted or slid upwardly to disengage the lower end of the bolt 4I from a suitable hole 43 in the base 29; the bracket 42 beright 33 as shown in Figure 2. The base 29 is preferablyprovided Awith a pair of holes 43 properly spaced so that theupright `33 with the lever may be held either" in the operative vposition shown at theleft in Figure or in inoperative position shown to the right'fin Figure 5. In order that the base` 29 of the stanchions may be held against accidentalfrotation, thereby shifting the eccentrcally disposed uprightout of adjusted positions, I prefer to provide a lock'pin M which may pass through a hole 45 in the annular part of the base 29 or be slidably secured thereto so it may drop into a suitable hole in the car floor. This latch bolt or pin M must, of course, .be raised out of the hole in the ioor to permit rotation of the base 29 (which may be done by grasping lever I8, when upright 33 is locked to the base by bolt 4I) so as to present the reduced side 29e of the base in the opposite direction from that shown in Figure. 5 where the eccentrcally mounted upright 33 and its lever will be disposed to the opposite side of the median line of the tracks 38, namely below the tracks 38 as viewed in Figure 5, thereby providing an uninterrupted path for movement of the automobile body or body holding frame lengthwise. of the car floor.

Asis apparent, the method of mountingthe stanchions will permit the latter to be entirely lifted o ut of the iioor Sockets if occasion requires, Without need of removing screws -or bolts which in turn are apt to become loosened.

While my improved stanchions are especially adapted for use with the method of automobile loading herein mentioned and as described in my previously cited application, it is evident that the stanchions are equally adapted for lifting and tiltably supporting other commodities, whether in freight cars or elsewhere; and While the constructions illustrated are believed to be the best embodiments of my invention, modiiications are possible and may be made Without, however, departing from the'spirit of my invention as dened by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A lifting stanchion of the character described comprising a rotatably mounted base provided with an upright of predetermined height eccentrcally arranged on the base, a lever pivotally secured to the upper end of said upright so` as to oscillate through a vertically disposed arc, the pivoted end of the lever being provided with a head portion disposed toward the opposite side of the pivot, and means secured to the upright whereby the lever may be locked in a plurality of load supporting positions.

2. A lifting stanchion of the character described comprising a base provided with a centrally depending post on the bottom adapted to extend into an opening in a oor whereby the stanchion may be rotatably mounted, an upright eccentrically arranged on the top of the base; a lever pivotally secured to the upper end of the upright so as to oscillate vertically, the pivoted end of the lever being ofi-set to provide a head portion arranged on the opposite side of the pivot; and means secured to one side of the upright whereby the lever may be locked in a plurality of load supporting positions. i

3. A lifting stanchion of the character described comprising an annular base provided with a centrally depending post on the bottom adapted to extend through an opening in a floor or mounting whereby the stanchion is rotatably mounted, an upright portion eccentrcally arranged on the base; a lever pivotally secured to the upper end of the upright to oscillate vertically, the pivoted end of thelever' being off-set to provide ahead portion `disposed toward the opposite side of the p ivot, the top of the `head being provided with a holdingV surface; and means secured to one side of the .upright adjacent the upper end adapted to provide a stop for the upward yswing of the lever and to permit the lever to be locked a plurality of load supporting positions.

4. A lifting `stanchion of the character described comprising an annular base member provided with a centrally depending post on the bottom adapted to extend through an opening in the floor or mounting whereby the stanchion is rotatably mounted, an upright post eccentrcally arranged on the upper surfaces of the base member; a tubular upright whose lower end is adapted to receive the upstanding post of the base member and be rotatably mounted thereon; means whereby said upright may be locked against rotatable movement on said base member; a lever pivotally secured to the upper end of the upright to oscillate vertically, the pivoted end of the lever being off-set to provide a head portion disposed toward the opposite side of the pivot; and means secured to one side of the upright adjacent said lever whereby the latter may be locked in a plurality of load supporting positions.

5. A lifting stanchion of the character described comprising an annular base member' provided centrally with a depending post on the bottom adapted to extend through an opening in the floor or mounting for rotatably securing the stanchion in place, while the top of the base is provided with an upstanding post arranged eccentrcally on the base; Yan upright whose lower end is socketed to receive said upstanding post and to be rotatable thereabcut; means inl termediate of said upright and the base member whereby the upright may be locked against rotative movement; a rod inserted in the upper end of said upright and provided with a bifurcated end; a lifting lever pivotally secured in the bifurcations of said rod with the pivoted end of the lever olif-set to provide a head portion disposed toward one side of the pivot, said lever being adapted to oscillate vertically;Y and means secured to the upper end of said upright adapted to limit upward swing of said lever, said means being adapted to lock the lever in a plurality of load supporting positions.

6. A lifting stanchion of the character described comprising a base member provided with a depending stem portion adapted to extend through an opening in a floor whereby the base member is rotatably mounted on a supporting iioor andV an upstanding eccentrcally disposed stem on the upper side of the member; a cylindrical housing secured to the bottom of the floor adapted to rotatably receive the depending stem portion; an upright member socketed to receive said upstanding stem to be removably secured thereto; a fulcrum providing member secured to the upper end of said upright member; a lift lever iulcrumed at its upper end on said fulcrum providing member with the head portion of the lever extending toward one side beyond the fulcrum; and means secured to said upright member whereby the lever may be locked in its load holding position. Y

7. A lifting stanchion of the character described comprising an annular base member provided on the bottom with a depending cylindrical stem and on the top with a upstanding cylindrical stem eccentrcally arranged and having an annular screw-end receiving surface, the

depending stem being adapted to extend through a hole in the supporting oor and thereby rotatably secure the base member in place; an upright member socketed to receive said upstanding stem and to rotate thereabout, the upper end of the upright member being formed to provide a fulcrum point; a lift lever fulcrumed at its upper end on said fulcrum with the upper end of the lever off-set toward the opposite side of the 10 fulcrum, the top of said upper end being provided with a holding surface; a latch member pivotally secured `to said upper end adapted to prevent movement of the object lifted away from the holding surface; means secured to the upright member whereby the lift lever may be locked in load supporting position; a slide bolt for locking the upright; member to the base against independent rotation; and means for locking the base member against rotation.

FRED A. ISAACSON. 

